Spotlight on SHOOTING STARS at International Rome Film Festival

With the aim of increasing the awareness of European films and talent in Italy, European Film Promotion (EFP) will be bringing three SHOOTING STARS 2010 to the International Rome Film Festival (October 28 - November 5) for the first time. Following the showcase at the Berlin International Film Festival, the selected three emerging actors will present their recent films at Italy's glittering cinematographic feast. The Italian SHOOTING STAR Michele Riondino will be seen in Ten Winters by Valerio Mieli, Zrinka Cvitešić from Croatia will be in Rome with her film On The Path by Jasmila Žbanić and Pihla Viitala from Finland will be attending with Bad Family by Aleksi Salmenperä. The presentation of SHOOTING STARS in Rome is being supported financially by the MEDIA Programme of the EU.

"We believe in the future of emerging actors. That's why Rome opens a big window onto bright new hopes each year", says Roberto Cicutto, director of The Business Street at the International Rome Film Festival. "The SHOOTING STARS programme and its aim to support the cream of European acting talent on the way to international stardom fit perfectly into our festival's profile. We are very proud to shine a spotlight on three young stars and give them exposure to our international guests and national audiences - especially since we have seen no less than eleven Italian actors being honoured as SHOOTING STARS at the Berlinale in past years."

In Rome, the three SHOOTING STARS will be introduced to the local audiences as well as to the film industry. The schedule includes a panel discussion "Playing Europe: The new generation of European actors facing the challenges of independent production" with casting director Beatrice Kruger and screenwriter Ivan Cotroneo, the presentation at the Casa del Cinema at Villa Borghese, press interviews and get-togethers with the Italian film scene.

The SHOOTING STARS touring programme has been designed as a follow-up to the annual talent platform in Berlin in order to bring the young actors directly into the promotional process of their films, attract additional press attention and, thereby, improve the opportunities for a film's distribution in the region. This year, the tour brings selected SHOOTING STARS 2010 to various festivals, including Copenhagen in Denmark (April 23-25), The Hamptons in the USA (October 7-10), Rome in Italy (October 30 - November 1) and Tallinn in Estonia (December 3-5).

Now in its fifth edition, the International Rome Film Festival remains a huge event for all those who love cinema. Starting with the 2010 edition, the festival has launched a new award - the MARC'AURELIO EMERGING YOUNG TALENT AWARD. The Official Selection of the International Rome Film Festival will screen 16 feature films in competition and 11 films out of competition and include glittering international premieres, masterful auteur pictures, cutting-edge discoveries and spectacular event movies. Sergio Castellitto has been elected as the President of the International Jury.

SHOOTING STARS 2010 in Rome

Zrinka Cvitešić (Coatia) appeared in Competition at this year's Berlinale in On The Path by Jasmila Žbanić. This excellent film, which will be presented at International Rome Film Festial, offers a complex look at various strands of Islam in contemporary Bosnia. Zrinka, moreover, was acclaimed for her performances in What Is A Man Without A Moustache by Hrvoje Hribar and Horseman by Branko Ivanda.

Michele Riondino (Italy) is a well known actor at the International Rome Film Festival and has been seen here in such films as the acclaimed The Past is a Foreign Land by Daniele Vicari and Marpiccolo by Alessandro di Robilant. Michele will now present Ten Winters by Valerio Mieli. Forthcoming theatrical releases this year include Michele's films Henry by Alessandro Piva and Noi Credevamo by Mario Martone, which was selected for Competition at the Venice International Film Festival.

Pihla Viitala (Finland) most recently had a role in the Aki Kaurismäki production Bad Family by Aleksi Salmenperä, which premiered in the Panorama section of the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival and will now be screened at Rome. Together with Damian Lewis, she will soon be playing a lead role in the UK film Man Is A Wolf To Man (Santana Brothers) which is set to shoot in South America this autumn. Pihla had previously come to the public's attention in the award-winning Tears of April by Aku Louhimies.